Paper roll shaft with expandable collar

ABSTRACT

A material winding shaft having a split sleeve at one end adapted to form, when expanded, a collar for retaining material roll cores on the shaft. A shell is slidably retained on the shaft with a beveled shoulder formed thereon for engaging and expanding the split sleeve. Axial displacement between the sleeve and the shell is produced by rotation of a control handle, secured at the other end of the shaft, effecting movement of interengaging cam surfaces on the inner end of the handle and the end of the shell adjacent thereto.

United States Patent Turner [45] Apr. 11, 1972 1541 PAPER ROLL SHAFT WITH 1,281,861 10/1918 Sibley ..242/72.1 EXPANDABLE COLLAR 3,118,626 1/1964 Shanks ..242/46.4 x Inventor: Frank A. Turner, Lake oswego g 3,146,964 9/1964 Schultz et a1. ..242/46.4 [7 3] Assignee: Publishers Paper Co., Oregon City, Oreg. Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath Assistant Examiner-Gregory A. Walters [22] May Attorney-Kolisch & Hartwell [21] App1.No.: 38,154

[57] ABSTRACT [52] 1.5. CI ..242/68 A material winding shaft having a split sleeve at one end [5 l hit. Cl. ..B65h B651! adapted to form when expanded a collar for retaining materil Fleld of Search 46-6, al roll cores on the shaft. A shell is slidably retained on the 242/462, shaft with a beveled shoulder formed thereon for engaging and expanding the split sleeve. Axial displacement between the [56] Rete'ences C'ted sleeve and the shell is produced by rotation of a control han- UNITED STATES PATENTS dle, secured at the other end of the shaft, effecting movement of mterengagmg cam surfaces on the inner end of the handle 3,526,369 9/1970 Beckwlth and the end fthe hel] adjacent thereto 538,434 4/1895 Sm1th ..242/72.l 712,536 11/1902 Hill ..242/129.7 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures /IO 4 sa ess 4s ,11 45 56 1'; 30 23 6 n is AW I 3 1417 26 I 122 Patented April 11, 1972 v FRANK-A. TURNER INVENTOR. BY VQJMQ P HMQ,

ATTY.

llm WM Q R wnom 2 z 8 3 wwwmon Q BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention is related to an improved shaft for winding rolls of material. More particularly, the invention relates to a shaft having control means at one end for selectively expanding a split sleeve at the other end of the shaft to form a collar for retaining material roll cores on the shaft.

In the preparation of rolls of material, such as paper toweling or tissue, the material is automatically unwound from a long roll and cut into multiple strips having the desired widths. The multiple strips are then wound, respectively, upon a corresponding number of cardboard cores, all supported upon a winding shaft. Collars are provided at each end of the shaft for engaging and retaining the cores in alignment. Paper rollers can be provided beneath the shaft for engaging and rotating the cores. Alternatively, other suitable means can be utilized to rotate the cores for winding material thereon.

At the beginning of each winding cycle of one conventional type winding machine, an operator loads the winding shaft with cores from one end at an operators stand located on one side of the machine. He then places the shaft on the winding machine with the loading end away from him. At the end of each winding cycle, the operator causes the unloading of the finished rolls from the sand end (the loading end) of the shaft, toward a location on the other side or at the rear of the machine. Since the shaft, when loaded with finished rolls of material, is heavy and difficult to handle, it has been necessary with conventional winding shafts for the operator to leave his station and go to the other side of the machine to release the roll retaining collar and unload the shaft. This is inefficient and time-consuming. Consequently, it is desirable to provide a winding shaft having a collapsible, core retaining collar on the loading and unloading end controlled by means on the other end of the shaft, adjacent the operators station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved roll core supporting shaft for a winding machine.

It is another object of the invention to provide such a shaft having control means at one end thereof for selectively manipulating a collapsible collar at the other end of the shaft.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a material winding shaft having a control handle at one end thereof for selectively expanding a split sleeve at the other end of the shaft to form a roll core engaging collar.

These and other objects of the invention are attained by a winding shaft that includes a split sleeve secured at one end adapted to form a roll core retaining collar when expanded. The sleeve is adapted to be expanded by a beveled shoulder formed at one end of a shell slidably mounted on the shaft. Axial displacement between the sleeve and the shell is effected through rotation of a control handle secured to the other end of the shaft. Rotation of the control handle causes movement of interengaging cam surfaces provided, respectively, at the inner end of the handle and at the end of the shell adjacent thereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial side elevation view, in section, of the winding shaft with the sleeve collapsed;

FIG. 2 is a partial side elevation view, in section, of the winding shaft with the sleeve expanded; and I FIG. 3 is an end elevation view, in section, taken along lines 33 of FIG. I.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings, the winding shaft is generally indicated at 10 comprising a cylindrical inner shaft 12 having ends formed as end races 14, 15, each being adapted to fit within suitable retaining bushings or bearings, not shown, of a conventional winding machine. An expandable sleeve generally indicated at 16 is provided on one end of the winding shaft (the loading end) for forming a collar, and a control handle generally indicated at 18 is provided on the other end of the winding shaft.

Referring now to the right end of the shaft, sleeve 16 includes a base member 19 between its ends having a cylindrical bore 20 formed therethrough, adapted to fit about shaft 12. The right end of the sleeve in FIG. 1 has a threaded portion 21 adapted to engage corresponding threads 22 on the end of shaft 12.

An enlarged cylindrical inner bore 23 is formed within the left or other end of the sleeve defining a relatively thin sidewall 25 at that end of the sleeve, having an inwardly tapered surface 26 formed about the periphery of the end of the sidewall. A plurality of elongate slots 28 are formed in wall 25 extending parallel to the axis of shaft 12, to the bottom of enlarged bore 23. A plurality of flexible members or fingers 30 are defined between the slots, adapted to be expanded by a surface or shoulder 38 of a shell or tubular member 36, when the latter is inserted into bore 23. Surface 38 is beveled, the bevel being tapered so that surface 38 generally matches or complements surface 26 of the sleeve.

Shell 36 is retained upon shaft 12 between sleeve 16 and control handle 18. Cylindrical bores 41, 42 are formed in the ends of the hollow shell, whereby the shell is slidably mounted on the shaft and is rotatable with respect thereto. A collar 45 is formed on the outer periphery of shell 36 near the control handle end of the shell, adapted to engage and retain a roll core located adjacent thereto.

A pair of cam surfaces 46, 47 are formed at the control handle end of shell 36 spaced-apart by degrees on the periphery of the shell. The cam surfaces are bridged by inclined surfaces 48 formed on either side of the cam surfaces. These various surfaces constitute cam means on the tubular member.

Control handle 18 generally comprises a cylindrical member 50 having an inner bore 52 formed therethrough adapted to fit over shaft 12. The control handle is fixed to shaft 12 adjacent the shell. Surface 59 of the control handle and surface 60 of the shell are knurled for easy manipulation by an operator. Control handle 18 further includes cam surfaces 56, 57 formed at the inner end thereof spaced apart by 180 degrees along the periphery of the control handle. The cam surfaces are bridged by inclined surfaces 58 formed on either side thereof. These various surfaces constitute cam means on the control handle. Cam surfaces 56, 57 on the control handle are adapted to match cam surfaces 46, 47 on the shell when the control handle and shell are positioned as shown in FIG. 1. Also, with the control handle and shell in that position the shell is located remote from the sleeve.

Upon rotation of the control handle by 180 degrees with respect to the shell, the cam surfaces oppose each other as shown in FIG. 2. With the cam surfaces mutually opposing, the shell is displaced axially with respect to shaft 12, into engagement with fingers 30 of sleeve 16. As the fingers of the sleeve ride over surface 38 on the shell, the ends of the fingers extend radially a sufficient distance to form a collar of the width necessary to engage and retain the end 65 of a roll roll 67 core located adjacent thereto.

In using the winding shaft described herein, an operator manipulates the control handle and shell to the position shown in FIG. 1. The operator then lowers the control handle to a platform and loads roll cores on the winding shaft, sliding each core over collapsed sleeve 16. In the usual winding operation, approximately six to eight cores are placed on the winding shaft. When the winding shaft is fully loaded, the operator rotates the control handle one-half revolution with respect to the shell, causing expansion of sleeve 16 to form a collar at the end of the shaft. The collar finnly engages the end of the outermost roll core and retains all the cores on the shaft firmly against opposed collar 45. The operator then places the winding shaft on the winding machine, locating the ends of the winding shaft in appropriate bearings, or bushings. The winding operation is then completed.

Upon completion of the winding operation, the operator removes the shaft or ejects the loaded shaft onto a conveyor for transferring the finished rolls to a packaging machine. Prior to transfer of the finished rolls along the conveyor, the operator manipulates the control handle to collapse sleeve 16, and then slides the winding shaft out of the material roll cores.

It should be apparent that the design of the winding shaft enables an operator at a single station to efficiently load roll cores on the shaft from one side of the winding machine, and to remove the finished rolls from the same end of the winding shaft, with that end of the shaft located on the other side of the machine.

It is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent:

1. A roll core retaining apparatus comprising an elongate shaft having ends adapted to be received in mounting means on a winding machine,

a control handle secured to said shaft, proximate one end of the shaft having first cam means thereon,

an elongate tubular member mounted for axial and rotative movement on said shaft, said tubular member having second cam means thereon at one end of said member proximate said control handle engaging said first cam means, said first and second cam means on rotation of said control handle with respect to said tubular member causing axial movement of said tubular member toward the other end of said shaft, said tubular member having an enlarged collar proximate its said one end for engaging the end of a roll core carried on the tubular member, said tubular member also having a beveled surface defining a tapered shoulder at the other end thereof, and

sleeve means secured to the shaft proximate the other end of the shaft, said sleeve means being adapted for radial expansion to receive said shoulder with axial displacement of the tubular member toward said other end of the shaft, and forming a roll core engaging collar when expanded.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sleeve means includes a base portion secured to said shaft and a cylindrical sleeve secured to said base portion having axial slots formed therein to define flexible fingers facing said tapered shoulder.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ends of the fingers facing said shoulder have inclined surfaces formed thereon substantially paralleling the beveled surface of said shoulder.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein a knurled surface is provided on said control handle and wherein a knurled surface is provided on said tubular member adjacent the knurled surface of the control handle.

5. Roll core retaining apparatus comprising an elongate shaft having ends adapted to be received within mounting means on the winding machine,

a control handle mounted on and fixed from axial displacement relative to said shaft, said control handle being adjacent but inwardly from one end of said shaft,

an elongate tubular member mounted on said shaft with one end thereof adjacent said control handle, said tubular member being axially movable on said shaft, and said control handle being relatively rotatable with respect to said tubular member, said tubular member having a collar adjacent its said one end for engaging the end of a roll core carried on the tubular member and a tapered shoulder at its other end,

first cam means on said control handle and cooperating second cam means on said one end of said tubular member engaging said first cam means, sald first and second cam means on relative rotation of the handle and tubular member producing axial displacement of said tubular member toward the other end of said shaft, and sleeve means mounted on and fixed from axial displacement relative to said other end of said shaft adapted to receive the shoulder of said tubular member on such being axially displaced toward the other end of said shaft and to radially expand on receiving said shoulder to form a roll core engaging collar when expanded. 

1. A roll core retaining apparatus comprising an elongate shaft having ends adapted to be received in mounting means on a winding machine, a control handle secured to said shaft, proximate one end of the shaft having first cam means thereon, an elongate tubular member mounted for axial and rotative movement on said shaft, said tubular member having second cam means thereon at one end of said member proximate said control handle engaging said first cam means, said first and second cam means on rotation of said control handle with respect to said tubular member causing axial movement of said tubular member toward the other end of said shaft, said tubular member having an enlarged collar proximate its said one end for engaging the end of a roll core carried on the tubular member, said tubular member also having a beveled surface defining a tapered shoulder at the other end thereof, and sleeve means secured to the shaft proximate the other end of the shaft, said sleeve means being adapted for radial expansion to receive said shoulder with axial displacement of the tubular member toward said other end of the shaft, and forming a roll core engaging collar when expanded.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said sleeve means includes a base portion secured to said shaft and a cylindrical sleeve secured to said base portion having axial slots formed therein to define flexible fingers facing said tapered shoulder.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the ends of the fingers facing said shoulder have inclined surfaces formed thereon substantially paralleling the beveled surface of said shoulder.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein a knurled surface is provided on said control handle and wherein a Knurled surface is provided on said tubular member adjacent the knurled surface of the control handle.
 5. Roll core retaining apparatus comprising an elongate shaft having ends adapted to be received within mounting means on the winding machine, a control handle mounted on and fixed from axial displacement relative to said shaft, said control handle being adjacent but inwardly from one end of said shaft, an elongate tubular member mounted on said shaft with one end thereof adjacent said control handle, said tubular member being axially movable on said shaft, and said control handle being relatively rotatable with respect to said tubular member, said tubular member having a collar adjacent its said one end for engaging the end of a roll core carried on the tubular member and a tapered shoulder at its other end, first cam means on said control handle and cooperating second cam means on said one end of said tubular member engaging said first cam means, said first and second cam means on relative rotation of the handle and tubular member producing axial displacement of said tubular member toward the other end of said shaft, and sleeve means mounted on and fixed from axial displacement relative to said other end of said shaft adapted to receive the shoulder of said tubular member on such being axially displaced toward the other end of said shaft and to radially expand on receiving said shoulder to form a roll core engaging collar when expanded. 